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Can you create a chart of a trademarked character and place that chart on your web site? Read what the trademark owners say about use of their registered characters and about trademark laws. Following is a partial list of links to the web sites of some of the most popular characters, along with links to trademark law information.

Blue's Clues Need To KnowNick Jr (owned by Viacom) - Click on "Terms of Use" at bottom of the page to read Viacom's Ownership of Intellectual Property statement, especially the "You agree not to create derivative works from ... " and "may subject the offender to ... " statement. This page shows Blues Clues on Nick Jr, copyright Viacom Intl.

Disney CharactersSee their "Restrictions on Use of Materials" statement. They are well known for strictly enforcing their intellectual property rights. Disney Online, with their various trademarked characters.

NFL Logos Need To KnowNational Football League - See number 2 "Trade and Service Mark Rights". NFL Web Site; see registered trademark statement at the bottom of the page.

Pokemon Need To KnowThe Pokemon registered trademark is owned by Nintendo. In regards to permission to individuals, they state that their policy is to decline use of their trademarks and copyrights. The Pokemon Web Site at www.pokemon.com shows the Nintendo copyright at the bottom of that homepage.

SpongeBob SquarePants Need To KnowSee "All Nick", then, under TV Shows, select "SpongeBob". Near end of page under the Copyright statement, it says that Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants and all related logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Read Viacom's Ownership of Intellectual Property statement, especially the "You agree not to reproduce ... " and "may subject the offender to ... " statement.

Using and Enforcing TrademarksNolo Law For All: When can a trademark owner stop others from using it? Among other reasons, anti-dilution statutes can be a factor (the prevention of rendering it common through overuse). Note: If needed, Right-click on your Back Button to return here from the Nolo site.

Violations of TrademarkArtists Legal Primer, by Dee Dreslough: See the 6th topic "Common Violations of Trademark", which deals with drawings of a company's trademarks, such as of cartoon or TV characters, even when giving your drawing away (on a web site, for example). This would apply to drawing a trademarked character as a craft chart, as well.